The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-07-21
THE SOLDIER DEAD.
THE PROPOSITION TO REAR A
MONUMENT TO THEIR MEMORY.

MONUMENT TO THEIR MEMORY.
The Matte Takes Shape at Last and All
North Carolina Should Fall Promptly
into Line.
The proposition to rear monument in
the capitol square to the memory of the
forty thousand gallant men who fell in
North Cardinals service in the civil war
touches tender feeling in the hearts of
all true sons of the State. So little has
been done for the memory of the dead that
it really looks like tardy justice. Else
where, in other States monuments rise III
commemoration of the services of the men
who so grandly illustrated valor on scores
of fields but here these outward and VlSl-
BILE signs of an inward feeling of pride and
love are not seen. In the Confederate
cemeteries here and there the various 10
cal memorial associations have reared
monuments, but there has been no recOg-
milton in this way by the State. No sol
diers were more gallant than these same
North Carolinians whom it is now propos-
ed to honor. In war time their State could
point with pride to her troops, the very
flower of soldiery, brave, constant IN duty
and devotion, better cared for and equipped
than those of other Southern common
wealths. 1t is the way of the world, a
sad way too, to forget. But living North
Carolinians who forget the valor, the ser
vices, the memories of those dear boys IN
gray, lose self-respect and love for their
state.
The proposition is that the people of the
State shall, acting for themselves, raise
noble monument to the forty thousand
dead and it is the wish of those whose
hearts are in the undertaking that each
county, each township, each community,
shall bear its part of this work of love. 1t
is the first definite proposition looking to
the erection Of a State Memorial which
ought long ago to have adorned the capi-
tol and been a fitting recognition Of those
men who fought and suffered and died for
a cause they felt to be most sacred.
The old soldiers of the State, and the
ladies, ever foremost in good deeds, should,
as they doubtless will, take the initiatory
steps in this matter Concert of action is
all that is needed. The first practical step
towards securing the monument Is taken.
\ generous gentleman, whose name is
synonymous with charity and good deeds,
has written the Wilmington Star, Offering
to contribute 81 900 toward the monu-
ment if it is erected at Raleigh or 81, 800
if at Durham. That is the first note of
music which it is hoped will ring all over
the State Earnest effort will speedily Sc
cure the requisite funds. The press takes
a lively interest in furthering the scheme
All should pull together in the matter.
The following is the letter to the Star, in
question:
The matter of erecting a monument to
the Confederate soldiers who were killed
or died in the late war between the States
| has for a long time been matter to which
| have given much consideration and
| thought. 1t is no time here to discuss the
unfortunate ending of the war, and its
results. etc, but we cannot help but pom
| der oyer the millions of money that are
being paid out to the yietors, all of which
goes into the Northern States, and the
costly mausoleums and monuments that
are being erected all over the North to her
| fallen heroes, and yet the bravest of the
brave the dead from North Carolina,
| have no stone to mark their last resting
place.
"They whose merits deserve temple
Can now scarcely find g tomb"
AS have stated in the beginning, /
| have given matters Of this sort much con-
sderation, and | hope the day has come
when North Carolina will move in the
| l. Lo
ory of her brave dead. Feeling as | do
| interested in the movement on the part
| of the Star to raise funds sufficient to
| erect suitable monument to the memory
| of our fallen braves. | was a private in
| the late war, and in the general breakup
| | footed it home; but fortune has smiled
upon me to greater extent, in all prOba-
| bility, than the ma iority of my unfortunate
comrades, and | am willing to set apart a
portion of my earnings for the erection OF
| suitable monument to those OF our com
rades whose bleaching bones we left upon
the fields of Virginia. | have thought OF
making response something like this tC
the proposition of the Star to raise fund
for this purpose. | will give 81 900 70,
| the erection of a suitable monument tC
the memory of North Cardinals dead sol
diers, if sufficient amount is raised tC
erect monument creditable to thell
memory, this monument to be located al
Raleigh. Or | will give $500 to the
erection of such monument if located al
Durham, and l will deed to the association
square, to be known as ''Confederatt
Square" and upon this square l will cree
one or more fountains, plant shrubbery
evergreens, shade trees, and the like, anC
furnish seats on the grounds for the &C
commodation Of the public, and otherwise
beautify and adorn the square. 1t is {
matter that l am very much interested in
and l trust you will push the movement
to successful termination. You certain
ly have my sympathies, and you shal
have my money to the extent intimate(
above, for the consummation of thi
most desirable object, an object which
ought to be dear to the heart of ever,
true North Carolinian. Strange to me i
is that our people are so hard to move il
matters Of this kind. 1t is noble under
taking and l trust you will not be dis
couraged.
Lieut.. Governor RObinsOn's Funeral.
[From Franklin, Macon county, Press.]
The State Normal School here suspended
it's exercises Tuesday the 18th, and al
| IF huc in opk1tp olosol